Ctrip acquired global metasearch player Skyscanner in December 2016 for £1.4 billion ($1.74 billion). At the time of the acquisition, we wrote that competitiveness for meta boils down to scal…
Japan opening second factory to feed Kit Kat-crazy tourists
DUE to the overwhelming demand for rare Kit Kat flavors, Nestle in Japan announced they will be opening a second factory to meet the growing appetite among tourists for unusual variations of the ic…
Malaysia’s ‘disputed’ tourism tax takes effect
MALAYSIA’S new tourism tax is implemented across the country today, but various parties have been at loggerheads over the details since it was proposed in April. However, last week, Malaysia&…
Why is Trump’s new hotel in Bali so controversial? Well, it’s complicated
AS with almost everything associated with United States President Donald Trump, his new hotel in Bali is mired in controversy.There are many problems connected to the planned development, but why i…
Memarian takes up executive chef role at Palazzo Versace Dubai
Mansour Memarian has been appointed executive chef at Palazzo Versace Dubai.Memarian, an Iranian chef with German origins who has 21 years industry experience, has had stints at some of the world&r…
AirAsia launches promo offering up to 45pc discount
IN its latest campaign, AirAsia says it will offer up to 45 percent on local and international flights.One passenger would be entitled to 15 percent off flight bookings, while two passengers can ge…
Australia: Foiled bomb plot throws airports into chaos
MASSIVE queues have formed in airports across Australia amid heightened security after police foiled an alleged “Islamic-inspired” plot for a bomb attack on a plane.According to Reuters…
Indonesia is biggest Instagram market in Asia Pacific
INDONESIA has been announced as the largest market for Instagram in the Asia Pacific, with 45 million of its netizens using the photo sharing app according to the company’s internal data.Inst…
Shanghai shopping mall offers ‘man pods’ for bored husbands
THE sight of restless men in shopping malls may be a universal one, but a mall in Shanghai has taken steps to appease men while their partners shopped.Yao Lei, a 26-year old man using one of the ne…
India to clamp down on tax evaders through holiday snaps
TAX evaders could potentially find themselves in hot water if India’s government begins poking around their social media feeds through the new “Project Insight” big data plan. Spe…